Inhibitors of integrin αvβ6

ABSTRACT

Novel biphenyl derivatives of the general formula I in which R 1 , R 1′ , R 1″ , R 2 , R 2′ , R3 and n are as defined in Patent claim  1 , stereoisomers thereof and physiologically acceptable salts or solvates thereof are novel integrin inhibitors which preferentially inhibit the α v β 6  integrin receptor. The novel compounds can be used, in particular, as medicaments

The invention relates to novel integrin inhibitors of the formula I

in which

-   R¹, R^(1′) and R^(1″) are H, A, Ar, Het¹, Hal, NO₂, CN, OR⁴, COA,     NHCOA, NH(CHO), NR⁴, COOR⁴ and/or CONHR⁴ ₂ -   R² is A, Ar, (CH₂)_(m)XA, (CH₂)_(m)OH, (CH₂)_(m)NH₂, (CH₂)_(m)NHA,     (CH₂)_(m)NA₂, (CH₂)_(m)NHCOA, (CH₂)_(m)NO₂, (CH₂)_(m)COOR¹,     (CH₂)_(m)CONH₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHAr₂,     (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA, (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar,     (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHHet¹ ₂,     (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)YA,     (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)NHCOA, (CH₂)_(m)NHCONHR^(2′), (CH₂)_(m)CH₂A,     (CH₂)_(m)CHA₂, (CH₂)_(m)CA₃, (CH₂)_(m)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)CHAr₂,     (CH₂)_(m)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)CHet¹ ₃,     (CH₂)_(m)cycloalkyl, (CH₂)_(m)—NH—C(═NH)—NH₂ or     (CH₂)_(m)—(HN═)C—NH₂,     -   where X and Y, independently of one another, may be S, O, S═O,         SO₂ or NH, where, if R²═(CH₂)_(m)XCOYA or         (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, X and Y cannot be S═O or SO₂ -   R^(2′) is H or A -   R² and R^(2′) together may alternatively be —(CH₂)_(p)— -   R³ is H₂N—C(═NH)—, H₂N—C(═NH)—NH—, A-C(═NH)—NH—, Het²— or Het²-NH—,     where the primary amino groups may also be provided with     conventional amino-protecting groups, -   R⁴ is H, A, Het¹, Hal, NO₂ or CN -   A is alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms -   B is H or A -   Ar is phenyl, naphthyl, anthranyl or biphenyl, each of which is     unsubstituted or monosubstituted or polysubstituted by Hal, A, OA,     OH, CO-A, CN, COOA, COOH, CONH₂, CONHA, CONA₂, CF₃, OCF₃ or NO₂ -   Het¹ is an aromatic monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclic radical     having from 1 to 3 N, O and/or S atoms, which may be unsubstituted     or monosubstituted or disubstituted by F, Cl, Br, A, OA, SA, OCF₃,     —CO-A, CN, COOA, CONH₂, CONHA, CONA₂, NA₂ or NO₂ -   Het² is a monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclic radical having from 1     to 4 N atoms, which may be unsubstituted or monosubstituted or     disubstituted by NH₂, NHA or A -   m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 -   n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 -   o is 0, 1, 2 or 3 -   p is 2, 3, 4 or 5     to stereoisomers thereof, and to physiologically acceptable salts     and solvates thereof.

Compounds having a partially similar structure are disclosed in WO 96/22966 A1, WO 97/08145 A1 and WO 00/48996 A2 with all compounds being effective as integrin inhibitors. Integrins are membrane-bound, heterodimeric glycoproteins-which consist of an α-subunit and a smaller β-subunit. The relative affinity and specificity for ligand binding is determined by the combination of the different α- and β-subunits. According to the disclosure content of the said patent applications, the compounds of WO 96/22966 A1 selectively inhibit the α₄β₁ integrin receptor, and the compounds of WO 97/08145 A1 selectively inhibit the α_(v)β₃ integrin receptor. The compounds of WO 00/48996 A2 inhibit principally α_(v)β₃ and α_(v)β₅ integrin receptors.

The invention had the object of finding novel compounds having valuable properties, in particular those which are used for the preparation of medicaments.

It has been found that the compounds of the formula I and salts thereof have very valuable pharmacological properties and are well tolerated. Surprisingly, the novel compounds according to the invention preferentially inhibit the α_(v)β₆ integrin receptor.

The integrins are ascribed various physiological and pathological functions, which are revealed in detail, for example, by the following review papers: Integrins and signal transduction. Dedhar-S, Curr-Opin-Hematol. 1999 January; 6(1): 37–43, Integrins take partners: cross-talk between integrins and other membrane receptors. Porter-J C; Hogg-N, Trends-Cell-Biol. 1998 October; 8(10): 390–6, Regulation of integrin-mediated adhesion during cell migration. Cox-E A; Huttenlocher-A, Microsc-Res-Tech. 1998 Dec. 1; 43(5): 412–9, The role of integrins in the malignant phenotype of gliomas. Uhm-J H; Gladson-C L; Rao-J S, Front-Biosci. 1999 Feb. 15; 4: D188–99, or Sperm disintegrins, egg integrins, and other cell adhesion molecules of mammalian gamete plasma membrane interactions. Evans-J P Front-Biosci. 1999 Jan. 15; 4: D114–31.

An important role here is ascribed to the α_(v) integrins, as found, for example, in The role of alpha v-integrins in tumour progression and metastasis. Marshall-J F; Hart-I R Semin-Cancer-Biol. 1996 June; 7(3): 129–38 or The role of alpha v-integrins during angiogenesis. Eliceiri-B P and Cheresh-D A Molecular Medicine 4: 741–750 (1998).

These integrins also include α_(v)β₆ Epithelial integrins. Sheppard-D Bio-essays. 1996 August; 18(8): 655–60 and the two integrins α_(v)β₃ and α_(v)β₅, which are known adhesion receptors, whose biological importance has been referred to, for example, in J. A. Varner et al. Cell Adhesion and Communication 3, 367–374 (1995) and in J. Samanen et al. Curr. Pharmaceutical Design, 3, 545–584 (1997).

α_(v)β₆ is a relatively rare integrin (Busk et al., 1992 J. Biol. Chem. 267(9), 5790), which is increasingly formed in epithelial tissue during repair processes and preferentially binds the natural matrix molecules fibronectin and tenascin (Wang et al., 1996, Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol. 15(5), 664). In addition, vitronectin also binds to α_(v)β₆ (Characterization of the ihtegrin alpha v beta 6 as a fibronectin-binding protein. Busk-M; Pytela-R; Sheppard-D. J-Biol-Chem. 1992 Mar. 25; 267(9): 5790–6; Restricted distribution of integrin beta 6 mRNA in primate epithelial tissues. Breuss,-J-M; Gillett,-N; Lu,-L; Sheppard,-D; Pytela,-R J-Histochem-Cytochem. 1993 October; 41(10): 1521–7; Differential regulation of airway epithelial integrins by growth factors. Wang-A; Yokosaki-Y; Ferrando-R; Balmes-J; Sheppard-D. Am-J-Respir-Cell-Mol-Biol. 1996 November; 15(5): 664–72); The integrin alphavbeta6 is critical for keratinocyte migration on both its known ligand, fibronectin, and on vitronectin. Huang,-X; Wu,-J; Spong,-S; Sheppard,-D J-Cell-Sci. 1998 August; 111 (Pt 15)2189–95).

The physiological and pathological functions of α_(v)β₆ are still not known precisely, but it is assumed that this integrin plays an important role in physiological processes and disorders (for example inflammation, wound healing and tumours) in which epithelial cells are involved (Expression of the beta 6 integrin subunit in development, neoplasia and tissue repair suggests a role in epithelial remodeling. Breuss,-J-M; Gallo,-J; DeLisser,-H-M; Klimanskaya,-I-V; Folkesson,-H-G; Pittet,-J-F; Nishimura,-S-L; Aldape,-K; Landers,-D-V; Carpenter,-W; et-al. J-Cell-Sci. 1995 June; 108 (Pt 6) 2241–51).

Thus, α_(v)β₆ is expressed on keratinocytes in wounds (Keratinocytes in human wounds express alpha v beta 6 integrin. Haapasalmi-K, Zhang-K, Tonnesen-M, Olerud-J, Sheppard-D, Salo-T, Kramer-R, Clark-R A, Uitto-V J, Larjava-H. J-Invest-Dermatol. 1996 January, 106(1): 42–8; Epidermal integrin expression is upregulated rapidly in human fetal wound repair. Cass-D-L, Bullard-K-M, Sylvester-K-G, Yang-E-Y, Sheppard-D, Herlyn-M, Adzick-N-S J-Pediatr-Surg. 1998 February, 33(2): 312–6), from which it can be assumed that, besides wound-healing processes and inflammation, other pathological occurrences in the skin, such as, for example, psoriasis, can be influenced by agonists or antagonists of the said integrin.

Furthermore, in disturbed hornification of the skin (in the mucosa of the oral cavity, at the lips, the tongue and the genitals), so-called leukoplakia, α_(v)β₆ is expressed to a greater extent compared with normal comparative tissue. The frequency and level of expression of the leukoplakia increases, via lichen planus, to squamous cell carcinoma, and consequently a correlation between expression of α_(v)β₆ and the malign transformation of leukoplakia is assumed: Expression of alpha(v)beta6 integrin in oral leukoplakia. Hamidi-S, Salo-T, Kainulainen-T, Epstein-J, Lerner-K, Larjava-H Br-J-Cancer. 2000 April, 82(8): 1433–40; Stromal fibroblasts influence oral squamous-cell carcinoma cell interactions with tenascin-C. Ramos-D-M, Chen-B-L, Boylen-K, Stern-M, Kramer-R-H, heppard-D, Nishimura-S-L, Greenspan-D, Zardi-L, Pytela-R Int-J-Cancer. 1997 Jul. 17, 72(2): 369–76; Expression of the alpha v beta 6 integrin promotes migration and invasion in squamous carcinoma cells Thomas-G J, Lewis-M P, Whawell-S A, Russell-A, Sheppard-D, Hart-I R, Speight-P M, Marshall-J F JOURNAL-OF-INVESTIGATIVE-DERMATOLOGY. July 2001; 117 (1): 67–73; Integrins alpha5beta1, alphavbeta1, and alphavbeta6 collaborate in squamous carcinoma cell spreading and migration on fibronectin. Koivisto,-L, Grenman-R, Heino-J, Larjava-H Exp-Cell-Res. 2000 Feb. 25, 255(1): 10–7).

Furthermore, α_(v)β₆ plays a role in the respiratory tract epithelium (Weinacker et al., 1995, Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol. 12(5), 547–56; Expression of the human integrin beta6 subunit in alveolar type II cells and bronchiolar epithelial cells reverses lung inflammation in beta6 knockout mice. Huang X, Wu J, Zhu W, Pytela R, Sheppard D, Am-J-Respir-Cell-Mol-Biol. 1998 October, 19(4): 636–42; Expression of integrin cell adhesion receptors during human airway epithelial repair in vivo. Pilewski J M, Latoche J D, Arcasoy S M, Albelda-S-M Am-J-Physiol. 1997 July, 273(1 Pt 1): L256–63; Global analysis of gene expression in pulmonary fibrosis reveals distinct programs regulating lung inflammation and fibrosis. Kaminski,-N; Allard J D, Pittet J F, Zuo F, Griffiths M J, Morris D, Huang X, Sheppard D, Heller R A, Proc-Natl-Acad-Sci-U-S-A. 2000 Feb. 15, 97(4): 1778–83), and consequently corresponding agonists/antagonists of this integrin could successfully be employed in respiratory tract disorders, such as bronchitis, asthma, lung fibrosis and respiratory tract tumours.

Besides the lung (bronchi), fibrosis may also occur in other organs, such as, for example, in the skin, the liver (extending to cirrhosis), the kidney and the bladder, the heart and the pancreas (cystic fibrosis). It is assumed that the integrin α_(v)β₆ also plays a role in this pathological connective tissue proliferation, and the course of the disease can therefore be influenced by agonists/antagonists of integrin α_(v)β₆ (Mechanisms of tissue repair: from wound healing to fibrosis, Mutsaers S E, Bishop J E, Mcgrouther G, Laurent G, J Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol. (1997) 29(1): 5–17; avb6 Integrin mediates latent TGFβactivation: Implications for-cutaneous fibrosis. Dalton S L, J. Am. Acad. Dermatol (1999) 41: 457–463; Clinical significance of blood serum connective tissue components in organ fibrosis, Kropf J, Gressner A M, Z. Med. Laboratoriumsdiagn. (1991) 32(3/4): 150–8; Angiotensin II, adhesion, and cardiac fibrosis, Schnee J M, Hsuch W A, Cardiovasc. Res. (2000) 46(2): 264–268; Pulmonary fibrosis and its treatment: today and in the next millennium. Sime P, J. Curr. Opin. Anti-Inflammatory Immunomodulatory Invest. Drugs (1999) 1(5): 423–432; Hepatic fibrosis: pathophysiology and laboratory diagnosis, Housset C, Guechot J, Pathol. Biol. (1999) 47(9): 886–894; Progressive renal disease. Fibroblasts, extracellular matrix, and integrins, Norman J T, Fine L G, Exp. Nephrol. (1999) 7(2): 167–177; Renal fibrosis: insights into pathogenesis and treatment, Nahas A M E I, Muchaneta-Kubara E C, Essawy M, Soylemezoglu O, Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol. (1997) 29(1): 55–62).

It is furthermore known that α_(v)β₆ also plays a role in the intestinal epithelium, and consequently corresponding integrin agonists/antagonists could be used in the treatment of inflammation, tumours and wounds of the stomach/intestinal tract. There are indications here that integrin α_(v)β₆ also influences the secretion of matrix metalloproteases, such as, for example, that of gelatinase B (MMP-9): The alpha v beta 6 integrin promotes proliferation of colon carcinoma cells through a unique region of the beta 6 cytoplasmic domain, Agrez M, Chen A, Cone R I, Pytela R, Sheppard D, J Cell Biol (1994) 127(2): 547–56; Integrin-mediated signalling of gelatinase B secretion in colon cancer cells, Niu J, Gu X, Turton J, Meldrum C, Howard E W, Agrez M, Biochem Biophys Res Commun (1998) 249(1): 287–91.

It has been found that the expression of α_(v)β₆ is accompanied by changes in the cell density and MMP activity (The alpha v beta 6 integrin regulates its own expression with cell crowding: Implications for tumour progression, Niu J, Gu X, Ahmed N, Andrews S, Turton J, Bates R, Agrez M, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, (2001) 92 (1): 40–48; The alpha v beta 6 integrin induces gelatinase B secretion in colon cancer cells, Agrez M, Gu X, Turton J, Meldrum C, Niu J, Antalis T, Howard E W, Int J Cancer (1999) 81(1): 90–7; alpha v beta 6 integrin upregulates matrix metalloproteinase 9 and promotes migration of normal oral keratinocytes, Thomas G J, Poomsawat S, Lewis M P, Hart I R, Speight P M, Marshall J F, JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY (2001) 116 (6): 898–904; alpha V beta 6 integrin promotes invasion of squamous carcinoma cells through upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9, Thomas G J, Lewis M P, Hart I R, Marshall J F, Speight P M, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER (2001) 92 (5): 641–650). Regulation of the MMP activity (possibility different MMPs) by tumour cells as a function of their density could thus be a mechanism which enables the cells to re-create space for proliferation and migration by proteolysis of the surrounding matrix during growth of the tumour mass.

Owing to the role of integrin α_(v)β₆ in infection processes, it is assumed that its agonists/antagonists can also be used in microbial infections (protozoa, microphytes, bacteria, viruses, yeasts and fungi). The correlation with integrin α_(v)β₆ has been described, for example, for the coxsackievirus or for infection of host cells with the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), which proceeds α_(v)β₃-dependently, but can also take place α_(v)β₆-dependently (Integrin alpha v beta 6 enhances coxsackievirus B1 lytic infection of human colon cancer cells. Agrez M V, Shafren D R, Gu X, Cox K, Sheppard D, Barry R D, Virology (1997) 239(1): 71–7; The epithelial integrin alphavbeta6 is a receptor for foot-and-mouth disease virus, Jackson T, Sheppard D, Denyer M, Blakemore W, King A M, J Virol (2000) 11: 4949–56; Role of the cytoplasmic domain of the beta-subunit of integrin alpha(v)beta6 in infection by foot-and-mouth disease virus, Miller L C, Blakemore W, Sheppard D, Atakilit A, King A M, Jackson T. J Virol (2001) 75(9): 4158–64; The ability of integrin avb3 to function as a receptor for foot-and-mouth disease virus is not dependent on the presence of complete subunit cytoplasmic domains, Neff S, Baxt B, J Virol (2001) 75(1): 527–532; Foot-and-mouth disease virus virulent for cattle utilizes the integrin avb3 as its receptor, Neff S, Sa-Carvalho D, Rieder E, Mason, P W, Blystone S D, Brown E J, Baxt B, J Virol (1998) 72(5): 3587–3594; Arginine-glycine-aspartic acid-specific binding by foot-and-mouth disease viruses to the purified integrin avb3 in vitro, Jackson T, Sharma A, Ghazaleh R A, Blakemore W E, Ellard F M, Simmons D L, Newman J W I, Stuart D I, King A M Q, J Virol (1997) 71(11): 8357–8361).

Infection with HIV (AIDS) is also dependent on α_(v)β integrins, and consequently the agonists/antagonists of integrin α_(v)β₆ would likewise be employed here (A novel integrin specificity for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Tat protein, Ruoslahti E I, Vogel B E, Wong-Staal F Y, PCT Int. Appl (1992) WO 9214755).

According to more recent knowledge, the bacterium Bacillus anthracis secretes a toxin which consists of 3 proteins, one of which, the so-called PA or protective antigen, binds to receptors on the cell membrane (anthrax toxin receptor, ATR). ATR is a type I membrane protein with an extracellular domain of the Willebrandt factor type (vWF A). Integrins also contain vWF A domains of this type. This is comprehensible via a homology analysis in the Swiss Prot database both for integrin α_(v)β₆ (http://www.expasv.ch/cgi-bin/niceprot.pI?P18564; sequence β₆ (131–371)) here, and also for α_(v)β₃ (http://www.expasv.ch/cgi-bin/niceprot.pI?P05106; β₃ (135–377)). It is therefore assumed that α_(v)β₆ agonists/antagonists can also be used for anthrax of the lung, skin and intestine) (Identification of the cellular receptor for anthrax toxin. K. A. Bradley et al. Nature 414, 225–229 (2001) [and accompanying articles]; Evolution of von Willebrand factor A (vWA) domains, Tuckwell D, Biochem Soc Trans (1999) 27(6): 835–840).

The dependence of the infection of host cells on their adhesion receptors for bacteria and for yeasts (budding fungi, candida) (Cell adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of and host defence against microbial infection, Kerr J R, Medical Microbiology, Manchester Royal Infirmary, UK, MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY (1999) 52(4): 220–30; Vitronectin-dependent invasion of epithelial cells by Neisseria gonorrhoeae involves alpha(v) integrin receptors, Dehio M, Gomez-Duarte O G, Dehio C, Meyer T F, FEBS LETTERS (1998) 424(1–2): 84–8; A natural variant of the cysteine protease virulence factor of group A Streptococcus with an arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) motif preferentially binds human integrins alphavbeta3 and alphaIIbbeta3, Stockbauer K E, Magoun L, Liu M, Burns E H Jr, Gubba S, Renish S, Pan X, Bodary S C, Baker E, Coburn J, Leong J M, Musser J M, PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (1999), 96(1): 242–7; Involvement of alpha(v)beta3 integrin-like receptor and glycosaminoglycans in Candida albicans germ tube adhesion to vitronectin and to a human endothelial cell line, Santoni G, Spreghini E, Lucciarini R, Amantini C, Piccoli M, MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS (2001) 31(4): 159–72) indicates the possibility of using agonists/antagonists of integrin α_(v)β₆ in these cases too.

Integrin α_(v)β₆ interacts with TGF-β, resulting in its activation (avb6 Integrin mediates latent TGFβ activation: Implications for cutaneous fibrosis, Dalton S L, J Am Acad Dermatol (1999) 41: 457–463; The integrin avb6 binds and activates latent TGFb1: a mechanism for regulating pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis, Munger J S et al. Cell (1999) 96: 319–328). Latent TGFβ₁ (one of the pro-forms) binds to integrin α_(v)β₆ and is proteolytically activated thereby. The integrin α_(v)β₆ agonists/antagonists according to the invention could thus prevent activation of TGF-β, and other sub-types by inhibiting the binding of TGF-β (pro-form, LAP peptide, LAP-TGFβ, latent TGF) and thereby modulate the effect of TGFβ.

3 human TGFβ isoforms have been discovered to date, which are ascribed a role in a multiplicity of growth and differentiation processes, but in particular in inflammatory processes, fibrosis, wound healing, bone growth, the modulation of immunofunctions, in angiogenesis and tumour metastasis (Rifkin D B. et al., Thrombosis and Haemostasis (1993) 70: 177–179; Hata A et al., Molecular Medicine Today (June 1998) 257–262, Integrin-mediated activation of transforming growth factor-beta(1) in pulmonary fibrosis, Sheppard D C, (2001) 120(1 Suppl): 49S–53S; Wickstom P et al., Prostate (1998) 37: 19–29). The α_(v)β₆ agonists/antagonists according to the invention could thus also be employed in these processes.

A further paper which emphasises the role of α_(v)β₆ in immunological processes describes the influx of neutrophiles after chemical damage to the lung (Expression of the beta6 integrin subunit is associated with sites of neutrophil influx in lung epithelium, Miller L A, Barnett N L, Sheppard D, Hyde D M, J Histochem Cytochem (2001) 49(1): 41–8).

The effect of a compound on an α_(v)β₆ integrin receptor and thus on the activity as an inhibitor can be demonstrated, for example, by the method described by J. W. Smith et al. in J. Biol. Chem. 1990, 265, 12267–12271.

Besides the preferred inhibition of α_(v)β₆ integrin receptors, the compounds also act as inhibitors of α_(v)β₃ or α_(v)β₅ integrin receptors and as inhibitors of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa. Integrin α_(v)β₃, for example, is expressed on a number of cells, for example endothelial cells, cells of the smooth vascular muscles, for example of the aorta, cells for the breakdown of bone matrix (osteoclasts) or tumour cells.

The action of the compounds according to the invention can be demonstrated, for example, by the method described by J. W. Smith et al. in J. Biol. Chem. 1990, 265, 12267–12271.

The dependence of formation of angiogenesis on the interaction between vascular integrins and extracellular matrix proteins has been described by P. C. Brooks, R. A. Clark and D. A. Cheresh in Science 1994, 264, 569–571.

The possibility of inhibiting this interaction and so initiating apoptosis (programmed cell death) of angiogenic vascular cells by a cyclic peptide has been described by P. C. Brooks, A. M. Montgomery, M. Rosenfeld, R. A. Reisfeld, T. Hu, G. Klier and D. A. Cheresh in Cell 1994, 79, 1157–1164. In this, for example, α_(v)β₃ antagonists or antibodies against α_(v)β₃ were described which cause shrinkage of tumours due to the initiation of apoptosis.

The experimental evidence that the compounds according to the invention also prevent the attachment of living cells to the corresponding matrix proteins and accordingly also prevent the attachment of tumour cells to matrix proteins can be provided in a cell adhesion test analogously to the method of F. Mitjans et al., J. Cell Science 1995, 108, 2825–2838.

The compounds of the formula I are able to inhibit the binding of metalloproteinases to integrins and thus prevent the cells utilising the enzymatic activity of the proteinase. An example can be found in the ability of a cyclo-RGD peptide to inhibit the binding of MMP-2- (matrix-metallo-proteinase-2-) to the vitronectin receptor α_(v)β₃, as described in P. C. Brooks et al., Cell 1996, 85, 683–693.

Compounds of the formula I which block the interaction of integrin receptors and ligands, such as, for example, of fibrinogen to the fibrinogen receptor (glycoprotein Ilb/IIIa), prevent, as antagonists, the spread of tumour cells by metastasis and can therefore be employed as antimetastatic substances in operations in which tumours are removed or attacked surgically. This is confirmed by the following observations:

The spread of tumour cells from a local tumour into the vascular system occurs through the formation of microaggregates (microthromboses) due to the interaction of the tumour cells with blood platelets. The tumour cells are masked by the protection in the microaggregate and are not recognised by the immune system cells. The microaggregates are able to attach to vessel walls, simplifying further penetration of tumour cells into the tissue. Since the formation of microthromboses is promoted by ligand binding to the corresponding integrin receptors, for example αvβ3 or αIIbβ3, on activated blood platelets, the corresponding antagonists can be regarded as effective metastasis inhibitors.

The action of a compound on an α_(v)β₅ integrin receptor and thus the activity as an inhibitor can be demonstrated, for example, by the method described by J. W. Smith et al. in J. Biol. Chem. 1990, 265, 12267–12271.

A measure of the uptake of a medicament active ingredient in an organism is its bioavailability.

If the medicament active ingredient is administered to the organism intravenously in the form of an injection solution, its absolute bioavailability, i.e. the proportion of the pharmaceutical species which is unchanged in the systemic blood, i.e. enters the general circulation, is 100%.

On oral administration of a therapeutic active ingredient, the active ingredient is generally in the form of a solid in the formulation and must therefore first dissolve in order that it can overcome the entry barriers, for example the gastrointestinal tract, the oral mucous membrane, nasal membranes or the skin, in particular the stratum corneum, and can be absorbed by the body. Pharmacokinetic data, i.e. on the bioavailability, can be obtained analogously to the method of J. Shaffer et al., J. Pharm. Sciences, 1999, 88, 313–318.

A further measure of the absorbability of a therapeutic active ingredient is the logD value, since this value is a measure of the lipophilicity of a molecule.

The compounds of the formula I have at least one centre of chirality and can therefore occur in a number of stereoisomeric forms. All of these forms (for example D and L forms) and mixtures thereof (for example the DL forms) are included in the formula.

The compounds according to the invention according to claim 1 also include so-called prodrug derivatives, i.e. compounds of the formula I modified with, for example, alkyl or acyl groups, sugars or oligopeptides, which are rapidly cleaved in the organism to give the effective compounds according to the invention.

Furthermore, free amino groups or free hydroxyl groups can be provided as substituents of compounds of the formula I with corresponding protecting groups.

The term solvates of the compounds of the formula I is taken to mean adductions of inert solvent molecules onto the compounds of the formula I which form owing to their mutual attractive force. Solvates are, for example, mono- or dihydrates or addition compounds with alcohols, such as, for example, with methanol or ethanol.

The invention relates to the compounds of the formula I and salts and solvates thereof and to a process for the preparation of compounds of the formula I and salts and solvates thereof, characterised in that

-   (a) a compound of the formula II

-    in which R is a protecting group, and R¹, R^(1′) and R^(1″) are as     defined in formula I and in which, in the case where R¹, R¹′ and/or     R^(1″) have free hydroxyl and/or amino groups, these are in each     case protected by a protecting group, -    is reacted with a compound of the formula III

-    in which R², R^(2′), R³ and n are as defined in formula I and in     which, in the case where R², R2′ and/or R³ contain free hydroxyl or     amino groups, these are in each case protected by protecting groups,     and the protecting group R and any protecting groups present on R¹,     R^(1′), R^(1″), R², R^(2′) and/or R³ are removed,     or -   (b) a compound of the formula IV

-    in which R is a protecting group, and R¹, R^(1′), R^(1″), R² and     R^(2′) are as defined in formula I and in which, in the case where     R¹, R^(1′), R^(1″), R² and/or R^(2′) contain free hydroxyl and/or     amino groups, these are in each case protected by protecting groups, -    is reacted with a compound of the formula V

-    in which Z is a leaving group, such as, for example, halogen, or a     reactive esterified OH group, and n and R³ are as defined in formula     I and in which, in the case where R¹, R^(1′) and/or R^(1″) contain     free hydroxyl and/or amino groups, these are in each case protected     by protecting groups, -    and the protecting group R and any protecting groups present on R¹,     R^(1′), R^(1″), R², R^(2′) and/or R³ are removed,     or -   (c) one or more radicals R¹, R^(1′), R^(1″), R², R^(2′) and/or R³ in     a compound of the formula I are converted into one or more radicals     R¹, R^(1′), R^(1″), R², R^(2′) and/or R³     -   by, for example,     -   i) alkylating a hydroxyl group,     -   ii) hydrolysing an ester group to a carboxyl group,     -   iii) esterifying a carboxyl group,     -   iv) alkylating an amino group,     -   v) reacting an aryl bromide or iodide with boronic acids by a         Suzuki coupling to give the corresponding coupling products, or     -   vi) acylating an amino group,         or -   (d) a compound of the formula II is reacted with a compound of the     formula VI

-    in which R² and R^(2′) are as defined in formula I and in which, in     the case where R² and/or R^(2′) contain free hydroxyl and/or amino     groups, these are protected by protecting groups, -    to give a compound of the formula IV, -    the resultant compound of the formula IV is reacted with a compound     of the formula V as described in (b) to give a compound of the     formula I, -    and the protecting group R and any protecting groups present on R¹,     R^(1′), R^(1″), R², R^(2′) and/or R³ are subsequently removed,     and/or     a basic or acidic compound of the formula I is converted into one of     its salts or solvates by treatment with an acid or base.

Throughout the invention, all radicals which occur more than once, such as, for example, A, may be identical or different, i.e. are independent of one another.

In the above formulae, A is alkyl, is linear or branched, and has from. 1 to 8, preferably 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms. A is preferably methyl, furthermore ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl, furthermore also pentyl, 1-, 2- or 3-methylbutyl, 1,1-, 1,2- or 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, hexyl, 1-, 2-, 3- or 4-methylpentyl, 1,1-, 1,2-, 1,3-, 2,2-, 2,3- or 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1- or 2-ethylbutyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl, 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl, 1,1,2- or 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl, heptyl or octyl. Further preferred embodiments of A are the said alkyl groups, which, however, may be monosubstituted or polysubstituted by Hal or NO₂, preferably trifluoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl or 2-nitroethyl, or alkyl groups, whose carbon chain may be interrupted by —O—, preferably —CH₂—O—CH₃, —CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₃ or —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃.

A is particularly preferably methyl or ethyl.

R³ is preferably, for example, pyrimidin-2-ylamino, pyridin-2-ylamino, imidazol-1-yl, imidazol-2-ylamino, benzimidazol-2-ylamino, 4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylamino, 2-aminoimidazol-5-ylamino, 2-aminopyridin-6-ylamino, 2-aminoimidazol-5-yl or 2-aminopyridin-6-yl.

R¹ is preferably, for example, phenyl.

Ar is unsubstituted, preferably—as indicated—monosubstituted phenyl, specifically preferably phenyl, o-, m- or p-tolyl, o-, m- or p-ethylphenyl, o-, m- or p-propylphenyl, o-, m- or p-isopropylphenyl, o-, m- or p-tert-butylphenyl, o-, m- or p-cyanophenyl, o-, m- or p-methoxyphenyl, o-, m- or p-ethoxyphenyl, o-, m- or p-fluorophenyl, o-, m- or p-bromophenyl, o-, m- or p-chlorophenyl, o-, m- or p-methylthiophenyl, o-, m- or p-methylsulfinylphenyl, o-, m- or p-methylsulfonylphenyl, o-, m- or p-aminophenyl, o-, m- or p-methylaminophenyl, o-, m- or p-dimethylaminophenyl, o-, m- or p-nitrophenyl, o-, m- or p-acetylphenyl, o-, m- or p-methoxycarbonylphenyl, o-, m- or p-aminocarbonylphenyl,

furthermore preferably 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or 3,5-difluorophenyl, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or 3,5-dichlorophenyl, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or 3,5-dibromophenyl, 2-chloro-3-methyl-, 2-chloro-4-methyl-, 2-chloro-5-methyl-, 2-chloro-6-methyl-, 2-methyl-3-chloro-, 2-methyl-4-chloro-, 2-methyl-5-chloro-, 2-methyl-6-chloro-, 3-chloro-4-methyl-, 3-chloro-5-methyl- or 3-methyl-4-chlorophenyl, 2-bromo-3-methyl-, 2-bromo-4-methyl-, 2-bromo-5-methyl-, 2-bromo-6-methyl-, 2-methyl-3-bromo-, 2-methyl-4-bromo-, 2-methyl-5-bromo-, 2-methyl-6-bromo-, 3-bromo-4-methyl-, 3-bromo-5-methyl- or 3-methyl-4-bromophenyl, 2,4- or 2,5-dinitrophenyl, 2,5- or 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl, 2,3,4-, 2,3,5-, 2,3,6-, 2,4,6- or 3,4,5-trichlorophenyl, 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl, 2,5-dimethylphenyl, p-iodophenyl, 4-fluoro-3-chlorophenyl, 4-fluoro-3,5-dimethylphenyl, 2-fluoro-4-bromophenyl, 2,5-difluoro-4-bromophenyl, 2,4-dichloro-5-methylphenyl, 3-bromo-6-methoxyphenyl, 3-chloro-6-methoxyphenyl, 2-methoxy-5-methylphenyl or 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl.

Cycloalkyl having from 3 to 15 carbon atoms is preferably cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl, particularly preferably cyclohexyl. Cycloalkyl is likewise a monocyclic or bicyclic terpene, preferably p-menthane, menthol, pinane, bornane or camphor, where each known stereoisomeric form is included, or adamantyl. For camphor, this is both L-camphor and D-camphor. Cycloalkyl is particularly preferred.

Hal is preferably F, Cl, Br or iodine. Hal is particularly preferably F or Cl.

The amino-protecting group is preferably formyl, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, phenylacetyl, benzoyl, tolyl, POA, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl, BOC, 2-iodoethoxycarbonyl, CBZ (“carbobenzoxy”), 4-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl, FMOC, Mtr or benzyl.

Het¹ is preferably 2,3-, 2,4-2,5- or 3,4-thienyl, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5- or 3,4-pyrrolyl, 2,4-, 2,5- or 4,5-imidazolyl, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,6- or 3,5-pyridyl, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 4,5- or 5,6-pyrimidinyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-indolyl, each of which is unsubstituted or monosubstituted by F, Cl, Br, A, OA or OCF₃. Pyridylamino is particularly preferred.

Het² is preferably 1-, 2- or 3-pyrrolyl, 1-, 2,4- or 5-imidazolyl, 1-, 3-, 4- or 5-pyrazolyl, 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl, 2-, 4-, -5- or 6-pyrimidinyl, furthermore preferably 1,2,3-triazol-1-, -4- or -5-yl, 1,2,4-triazol-1-, -3- or 5-yl, 1- or 5-tetrazolyl, 3- or 4-pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-indolyl, 1-, 2-, 4- or 5-benzimidazolyl, 1-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-benzopyrazolyl, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-quinolyl, 1-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-isoquinolyl, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-cinnolinyl, 2-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-quinazolinyl, 1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl or 1,8-naphthyridin-7-yl, each of which is unsubstituted or monosubstituted or disubstituted by A, NHA and/or NH₂. 4-pyridyl is particularly preferred.

The heterocyclic radicals may also be partially or fully hydrogenated. Het² may thus also be, for example, 2,3-dihydro-1-, -2-, -3-, -4- or -5-pyrrolyl, 2,5-dihydro-1-, -2-, -3-, 4- or -5-pyrrolyl, 1-, 2- or 3-pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydro-1-, -2- or -4-imidazolyl, 4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-yl, 2,3-dihydro-1-, -2-, -3-, -4- or -5-pyrazolyl, tetrahydro-1-, -3- or 4-pyrazolyl, 1,4-dihydro-1-, -2-, -3- or -4-pyridyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-, -2-, -3-, -4-, -5- or -6-pyridyl, 1-, 2-, 3- or 4-piperidinyl, morpholinyl, hexahydro-1-, -3- or -4-pyridazinyl, hexahydro-1-, -2-, 4- or -5-pyrimidinyl, 1-, 2- or 3-piperazinyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-, -2-, -3-, 4-, -5-, -6-, -7- or -8-quinolyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-, -2-, -3-, -4-, -5-, -6-, -7- or -8-isoquinolyl or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,8-naphthyridin-7-yl.

Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated Het² radicals may additionally be substituted by ═NH or carbonyl oxygen.

n is preferably 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, and n is very particularly preferably 2, 3 or 4.

m is preferably 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, and m is very particularly preferably 0, 1 or 2.

o is preferably 0, 1 or 2, and o is very particularly preferably 1.

“Poly”substituted means mono-, di-, tri- or tetrasubstituted.

Pol is a solid phase with no terminal functional group, as explained in greater detail below. The terms solid phase and resin are used synonymously below.

If the compounds of the formula I contain biphenyl, the second phenyl radical is preferably coupled to the first phenyl radical in the 3- or 4-position, particularly preferably to the 4-position of the first phenyl ring.

Accordingly, the invention relates in particular to the compounds of the formula I in which at least one of the said radicals has one of the preferred meanings indicated above. Some preferred groups of compounds may be expressed by the following sub-formulae Ia to It, which conform to the formula I and in which the radicals not designated in greater detail have the meaning indicated under the formula I, but in which

in Ia) R³ is pyrimidin-2-ylamino, pyridin-2-ylamino, imidazol-1-yl, imidazol-2-ylamino, benzimidazol- 2-ylamino, 4,5-dihydroylamino, 2-amino- pyridin-6-ylamino, 2-aminoimidazol-5-yl or 2- aminopyridin-6-yl; in Ib) R³ is H₂N—C(═NH)—, H₂N—C(═NH)—NH—or Het²NH; in Ic) R³ is H₂N—C(═NH)—, H₂N—C(═NH)—NH—or Het²NH, in which Het² is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic or saturated heterocyclic radical having 1 or 2 N and/or O atoms; in Id) R³ is H₂N—C(═NH)—, H₂N—C(═NH)—NH—or Het²NH, in which Het² is pyridyl; in Ie) R³ is Het²NH in which Het² is pyridyl in If) R¹, R^(1′) and R^(1″) are H, Ar, Het¹ Hal, NR⁴ and/or CONHR⁴ ₂ in which R⁴ is H, A or Het¹ in Ig) R¹ is Ar in Ih) R¹ is Ar in which Ar is a phenyl radical which is unsubstituted or monosubstituted or disubstituted by A, OA, OH, Hal or CF₃ R^(1′) and R^(1″) are each H in Ii) R¹ is Ar in which Ar is phenyl R^(1′) and R^(1″) are each H in Ij) R³ is H₂N—C(═NH)—, H₂N—C(═NH)—NH—or Het²NH, in which Het² is pyridyl, R¹ is Ar in which Ar is a phenyl radical which is unsubstituted or monosubstituted or disubstituted by A, OA, OH, Hal or CF₃, n is 2, 3 or 4; in Ik) R² is A, Ar, (CH₂)_(m)XA, (CH₂)_(m)OH, (CH₂)_(m)NH₂, (CH₂)_(m)NHA, (CH₂)_(m)NA₂, (CH₂)_(m)NHCOA (CH₂)_(m)NO₂, (CH₂)_(m)COOR¹, (CH₂)_(m)CONH₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA, (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)YA, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)NHCOA, (CH₂)_(m)NHCONHR^(2′), (CH₂)_(m)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)cycloalkyl, (CH₂)_(m)—NH—C(═NH)—NH₂ or (CH₂)_(m)—(HN═)C—NH₂, in which X and Y, independently of one another, may be S, O, S═O, SO₂ or NH, where, if R² = (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA or (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, X and Y cannot be S═O or SO₂; in Il) R² is A, Ar, (CH₂)_(m)XA, (CH₂)_(m)OH, (CH₂)_(m)NH₂, (CH₂)_(m)NHA, (CH₂)_(m)NA₂, (CH₂)_(m)NO₂, (CH₂)_(m)COOR¹, (CH₂)_(m)CONH₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA, (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)YA, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)NHCOA, (CH₂)_(m)NHCONHR^(2′), (CH₂)_(m)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)cycloalkyl, (CH₂)_(m)—NH—C(═NH)—NH₂ or (CH₂)_(m)—(HN═)C—NH₂, in which R^(2′) is H X and Y, independently of one another, may be S, O, S═O, SO₂ or NH, where, if R² = (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA or (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, X and Y cannot be S═O or SO₂, m is 1, 2, 3 or 4; in Im) R² is A, Ar, (CH₂)_(m)XA, (CH₂)_(m)OH, (CH₂)_(m)NH₂, (CH₂)_(m)NHA, (CH₂)_(m)NA₂, (CH₂)_(m)NO₂, (CH₂)_(m)COOR¹, (CH₂)_(m)CONH₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA, (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)YA, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)NHCOA, (CH₂)_(m)NHCONHR^(2′), (CH₂)_(m)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)cycloalkyl, (CH₂)_(m)—NH—C(═NH)—NH₂ or (CH₂)_(m)—(HN═)C—NH₂, in which X and Y, independently of one another, may be S, O, S═O, SO₂ or NH, where, if R² = (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA or (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, X and Y cannot be S═O or SO₂, and in the case where X and Y are bonded directly to one another by a chemical bond, these are each S, R^(2′) is H m is 1, 2, 3 or 4 o is 0, 1, 2 or 3; in In) R² is A, Ar, (CH₂)_(m)XA, (CH₂)_(m)OH, (CH₂)_(m)NH₂, (CH₂)_(m)NHA, (CH₂)_(m)NA₂, (CH₂)_(m)NO₂, (CH₂)_(m)COOR¹, (CH₂)_(m)CONH₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA, (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)YA, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)NHCOA, (CH₂)_(m)NHCONHR^(2′), (CH₂)_(m)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)Het¹, (CH₂)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)cycloalkyl, (CH₂)_(m)—NH—C(═NH)—NH₂ or (CH₂)_(m)—(HN═)C—NH₂, in which R^(2′) is H Het¹ is a monocyclic or bicyclic, 5- and/or 6-membered aromatic or saturated heterocyclic radical having 1 or 2 N, S and/or O atoms, Ar is a phenyl radical which is unsubstituted or monosubstituted or disubstituted by A, OA, OH, Hal or CF₃, X and Y, independently of one another, may be S, O, S═O, SO₂ or NH, where, if R² = (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA or (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, X and Y, independently of one another, may be NH and/or O, and in the case where X and Y are bonded directly to one another by a chemical bond, these are each S; m is 1, 2, 3 or 4 o is 0, 1, 2 or 3; in Io) R² is A, Ar, (CH₂)_(m)XA, (CH₂)_(m)OH, (CH₂)_(m)NH₂, (CH₂)_(m)NHA, (CH₂)_(m)NA₂, (CH₂)_(m)NO₂, (CH₂)_(m)COOR¹, (CH₂)_(m)CONH_(2,) (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA, (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)YA, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)NHCOA, (CH₂)_(m)NHCONR^(2′), (CH₂)_(m)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)cycloalkyl, (CH₂)_(m)—NH—C(═NH)—NH₂ or (CH₂)_(m)—(HN═)C—NH₂, in which R^(2′) is H Het¹ is imidazolyl, thiophenyl, pyridinyl or indolyl Ar is phenyl or 4-OH-phenyl X and Y, independently of one another, may be S, O, S═O, SO₂ or NH, where, if R² = (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA or (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, X = NH and Y = O, and in the case where X and Y are bonded directly to one another by a chemical bond, these are each S; m is 1, 2, 3 or 4 o is 0, 1, 2 or 3; in Ip) R³ is H₂N—C(═NH)—, H₂N—C(═NH)—NH—or Het²NH, R¹, R^(1′) and R^(1″) are H, Ar, Het¹ Hal, NR⁴ and/or CONHR⁴ ₂ in which R⁴ is H, A or Het¹ R² is A, Ar, (CH₂)_(m)XA, (CH₂)_(m)OH, (CH₂)_(m)NH₂, (CH₂)_(m)NHA, (CH₂)_(m)NA₂, (CH₂)_(m)NO₂, (CH₂)_(m)COOR¹, (CH₂)_(m)CONH₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA, (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)YA, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)NHCOA, (CH₂)_(m)NHCONR^(2′), (CH₂)_(m)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)cycloalkyl, (CH₂)_(m)—NH—C(═NH)—NH₂ or (CH₂)_(m)—(HN═)C—NH₂, in which X and Y, independently of one another, may be S, O, S═O, SO₂ or NH, where, if R² = (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA or (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, X and Y cannot be S═O or SO₂; in Iq) R³ is H₂N—C(═NH)—, H₂N—C(═NH)—NH—or Het²NH, in which Het² is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic or saturated heterocyclic radical having 1 or 2 N and/or O atoms; R¹, R^(1′) and R^(1″) are H, Ar, Het¹ Hal, NR⁴ and/or CONHR⁴ ₂, in which R⁴ = H, A and/or Het¹, and in which, if R¹ = Ar R^(1′) and R^(1″) are each H and Ar is a phenyl radical which is unsubstituted or monosubstituted or disubstituted by A, OA, OH, Hal or CF₃ R² is A, Ar, (CH₂)_(m)XA, (CH₂)_(m)OH, (CH₂)_(m)NH₂, (CH₂)_(m)NHA, (CH₂)_(m)NA₂, (CH₂)_(m)NO₂, (CH₂)_(m)COOR¹, (CH₂)_(m)CONH₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA, (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)YA, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)NHCOA, ((CH₂)_(m)NHCONH₂, CH₂)_(m)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)cycloalkyl, (CH₂)_(m)—NH—C(═NH)—NH₂ or (CH₂)_(m)—(HN═)C—NH₂, in which X and Y, independently of one another, may be S, O, S═O, SO₂ or NH, where, if R² = (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA or (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, X and Y cannot be S═O or SO₂, m is 1, 2, 3 or 4; in Ir) R¹, R^(1′) and R^(1″) are H, Ar, Hal, NR⁴ and/or CONHR⁴ ₂, in which R⁴ = H and/or A, and in which, if R¹ = Ar R^(1′) and R^(1″) are each H and Ar is a phenyl radical which is unsubstituted or monosubstituted or disubstituted by A, OA, OH, Hal or CF₃, R³ is H₂N—C(═NH)—, H₂N—C(═NH)—NH—or Het²NH, in which Het² is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic or saturated heterocyclic radical having 1 or 2 N and/or O atoms, R² is A, Ar, (CH₂)_(m)XA, (CH₂)_(m)OH, (CH₂)_(m)NH₂, (CH₂)_(m)NHA, (CH₂)_(m)NA₂, (CH₂)_(m)NO₂, (CH₂)_(m)COOR¹, (CH₂)_(m)CONH₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA, (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)YA, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)NHCOA, (CH₂)_(m)NHCONHR^(2′), (CH₂)_(m)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)cycloalkyl, (CH₂)_(m)—NH—C(═NH)—NH₂ or (CH₂)_(m)—(HN═)C—NH₂, in which R^(2′) is H Het¹ is imidazolyl, thiophenyl, pyridinyl or indolyl Ar is phenyl or 4-OH-phenyl X and Y, independently of one another, may be S, O, S═O, SO₂ or NH, where, if R² = (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA or (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, X and Y, independently of one another, are NH and/or O, m is 1, 2, 3 or 4 o is 0, 1, 2 or 3; in Is) R³ is Het²NH in which Het² is pyridyl, R¹, R^(1′) and R^(1″) are H, Ar and/or Hal, in which if R¹ = Ar R^(1′) and R^(1″) are each H and Ar is phenyl, R² is A, Ar, (CH₂)_(m)XA, (CH₂)_(m)OH, (CH₂)_(m)NH₂, (CH₂)_(m)NHA, (CH₂)_(m)NA₂, (CH₂)_(m)NO₂, (CH₂)_(m)COOR¹, (CH₂)_(m)CONH₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA, (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)YA, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)NHCOA, (CH₂)_(m)NHCONH₂ (CH₂)_(m)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)cycloalkyl, (CH₂)_(m)—NH—C(═NH)—NH₂ or (CH₂)_(m)—(HN═)C—NH₂, in which Het¹ is imidazolyl, thiophenyl, pyridinyl or indolyl Ar is phenyl or 4-OH-phenyl X and Y, independently of one another, may be S, O, S═O, SO₂ or NH, where, if R² = (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA or (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, X and Y, independently of one another, are NH and/or O, and in the case where X and Y are bonded directly to one another by a chemical bond, these are each S; m is 1, 2, 3 or 4 o is 0, 1, 2 or 3; in It) R³ is Het²NH in which Het² is pyridyl, R¹, R^(1′) and R^(1″) are H, Ar and/or Hal, in which Hal is F, Cl and/or Br and in which if R¹ = Ar R^(1′) and R^(1″) are each H and Ar is phenyl, R² is A, (CH₂)_(m)XA, (CH₂)_(m)OH, (CH₂)_(m)NH₂, (CH₂)_(m)NHA, (CH₂)_(m)NA₂, (CH₂)_(m)NO₂, (CH₂)_(m)COOH, (CH₂)_(m)CONH₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)NHCOOA, (CH₂)_(m)NHCOO(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)YA, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)NHCOA, (CH₂)_(m)NHCONH₂ (CH₂)_(m)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)cycloalkyl, (CH₂)_(m)—NH—C(═NH)—NH₂ or (CH₂)_(m)—(HN═)C—NH₂, R^(2′) is H, R² and R^(2′) together may alternatively be —(CH₂)_(p)— Het¹ is imidazolyl, thiophenyl, pyridinyl or indolyl Ar is phenyl or 4-OH-phenyl X is S, O, S═O, SO₂ or NH Y is S, O or NH m is 1, 2, 3 or 4 n is 2 or 3 o is 0 or 1 p is 5 where if X and Y are bonded directly to one another by a chemical bond these are each S; in Iu) R³ is Het²NH in which Het² is pyridyl, R¹, R^(1′) and R^(1″) are H, Ar and/or Hal, in which Hal is F, Cl and/or Br and in which if R¹ = Ar R^(1′) and R^(1″) are each H and Ar is phenyl R² is (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHAr₂ or (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CAr₃ R^(2′) is H Ar is phenyl or 4-OH-phenyl X is S or O m is 1, 2, 3 or 4 n is 2 or 3 o is 0 or 1;

Particular preference is given to the compounds of the general formula I mentioned below

-   3-biphenyl-4-yl-3-{3-(1,1-diphenylmethylsulfanyl)-2-[2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}propionic     acid (EMD 393210) -   3-biphenyl-4-yl-3-{3-(1,1-diphenylmethylsulfanyl)-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}propionic     acid (EMD 393215) -   3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic     acid (EMD 393216) -   3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic     acid (EMD 393217) -   3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylaminopyridin-2-yl)-ethoxycarbonylamino]-propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic     acid (EMD 395936) -   3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic     acid (EMD 397970) -   3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylpyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]-propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic     acid (EMD 408406) -   ethyl     3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]-propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichloro-phenyl)propionate     (EMD 396493) -   ethyl     3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylaminopyridin-2-yl)ethoxycarbonylamino]-propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichloro-phenyl)propionate     (EMD 396494) -   ethyl     3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]-propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichloro-phenyl)propionate     (EMD 396496) -   3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionic     acid (EMD 397966) -   ethyl     3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylpyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichloro-phenyl)propionate     (EMD 408404) -   3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylpyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]-propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichloro-phenyl)-propionic     acid (EMD 408407)     and stereoisomers thereof and physiologically acceptable salts and     solvates thereof.

The compounds of the formula I according to claim 1 and also the starting materials for the preparation thereof are, in addition, prepared by methods known per se, as described in the literature (for example in the standard works, such as Houben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie [Methods of Organic Chemistry], Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart), to be precise under reaction conditions which are known and suitable for said reactions. Use can also be made here of variants which are known per se, but are not mentioned here in greater detail.

If desired, the starting materials can also be formed in situ, so that they are not isolated from the reaction mixture, but are instead immediately converted further into the compounds of the formula I according to claim 1.

It is also possible for a plurality of—identical or different—protected amino and/or hydroxyl groups to be present in the molecule of the starting material. If the protecting groups present differ from one another, they can in many cases be removed selectively (cf. in this respect: T. W. Greene, P. G. M. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, 2nd Edn., Wiley, New York 1991 or P. J. Kocienski, Protecting Groups, 1st Edn., Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart—New-York, 1994).

The term “amino protecting group” is generally known and relates to groups which are suitable for protecting (blocking) an amino group against chemical reactions. Typical of such groups are, in particular, unsubstituted or substituted acyl, aryl, aralkoxymethyl or aralkyl groups. Since the amino protecting groups are removed after the desired reaction (or synthesis sequence), their type and size is furthermore not crucial; however, preference is given to those having 1–20, in particular 1–8 carbon atoms. The term “acyl group” is to be understood in the broadest sense in connection with the present process. It includes acyl groups derived aliphatic, araliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic and heterocyclic carboxylic acids or sulfonic acids, as well as, in particular, alkoxycarbonyl, alkenyloxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl and especially aralkoxycarbonyl groups. Examples of such acyl groups are alkanoyl, such as acetyl, propionyl and butyryl; aralkanoyl, such as phenylacetyl; aroyl, such as benzoyl and tolyl; aryloxyalkanoyl, such as phenoxyacetyl; alkoxycarbonyl, such as methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl, BOC and 2-iodoethoxycarbonyl; alkenyloxycarbonyl, such as allyloxycarbonyl (Aloc), aralkoxycarbonyl, such as CBZ (synonymous with Z), 4-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl (MOZ), 4-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl and 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc); 2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethoxycarbonyl; trimethylsilylethoxycarbonyl (Teoc), and arylsulfonyl, such as 4-methoxy-2,3,6-trimethylphenylsulfonyl (Mtr). Preferred amino protecting groups are BOC, Fmoc and Aloc, furthermore CBZ, benzyl and acetyl. Particularly preferred protecting groups are BOC and Fmoc.

The term “hydroxyl protecting group” is likewise generally known and relates to groups Which are suitable for protecting a hydroxyl group against chemical reactions. Typical of such groups are the above-mentioned unsubstituted or substituted aryl, aralkyl; aroyl or acyl groups, furthermore also alkyl groups, alkyl-, aryl- and aralkylsilyl groups, and O,O- and O,S-acetals. The nature and size of the hydroxyl protecting groups is not crucial since they are removed again after the desired chemical reaction or synthesis sequence; preference is given to groups having 1–20 carbon atoms, in particular 1–10 carbon atoms. Examples of hydroxyl protecting groups are, inter alia, aralkyl groups, such as benzyl, 4-methoxybenzyl and 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl, aroyl groups, such as benzoyl and p-nitrobenzoyl, acyl groups, such as acetyl and pivaloyl, p-toluenesulfonyl, alkyl groups, such as methyl and tert-butyl, but also allyl, alkylsilyl groups, such as trimethylsilyl (TMS), triisopropylsilyl (TIPS), tert-butyidimethylsilyl (TBS) and triethylsilyl, trimethylsilylethyl, aralkylsilyl groups, such as tert-butyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS), cyclic acetals, such as isopropylidene acetal, cyclopentylidene acetal, cyclohexylidene acetal, benzylidene acetal, p-methoxybenzylidene acetal and o,p-dimethoxybenzylidene acetal, acyclic acetals, such as tetrahydropyranyl (Thp), methoxymethyl (MOM), methoxyethoxymethyl (MEM), benzyloxymethyl (BOM) and methylthiomethyl (MTM). Particularly preferred hydroxyl protecting groups are benzyl, acetyl, tert-butyl and TBS.

The liberation of the compounds of the formula I from their functional derivatives is known from the literature for the protecting group used in each case (for example T. W. Greene, P. G. M. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, 2nd Edn., Wiley, New York 1991 or P. J. Kocienski, Protecting Groups, 1st Edn., Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart—New York, 1994). Use may also be made here of variants which are known per se, but are not mentioned here in greater detail.

The groups BOC and, O-tert-butyl may, for example, be removed preferentially using TFA in dichloromethane or using approximately 3 to 5N HCl in dioxane at 15–30° C., and the Fmoc group using an approximately 5 to 50% solution of dimethylamine, diethylamine or piperidine in DMF at 15–30° C. The Aloc group can be removed under gentle conditions with noble-metal catalysis in chloroform at 20–30° C. A preferred catalyst is tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0).

The starting compounds of the formulae II to VI and 1 to 3 are generally known. If they are novel, however, they can be prepared by methods known per se.

The compounds of the formula I can also be synthesised on a solid phase, the binding to the solid phase taking place via the OH of the carboxyl group. In the case of synthesis on a solid phase, the carboxyl group is substituted by OPol, where Pol is a solid phase without a terminal functional group. Pol represents the polymeric support material and all atoms of the anchor group of a solid phase apart from the terminal functional group. The anchor groups of a solid phase, also known as linkers, are necessary for binding of the compound to be functionalised to the solid phase. A review of syntheses on the solid phase and the solid phases and/or linkers which can be employed for this purpose is given, for example, in Nova-biochem—The Combinatorial Chemistry Catalog, March 99, pages S1–S72.

Particularly suitable solid phases for the synthesis of compounds according to the invention are solid phases having a hydroxyl group as terminal functionality, for example Wang resin or polystyrene A OH.

Compounds of the formula II with R¹═Ar and R═OL, where L is Pol, are prepared, for example, in accordance with the following reaction scheme 1, where SG₁ denotes an amino-protecting group, as described above.

The bromophenyl-substituted carboxylic acid 1 is activated in situ by known methods, for example by reaction with diisopropylcarbodiimide, and reacted with the alcohol HO-L, where L is as defined above. The subsequent coupling of compound 2 to an unsubstituted or substituted arylboronic acid under Suzuki conditions generates the derivative 3. The removal of the protecting group SG₁ under known conditions liberates a compound of the formula II.

The Suzuki reaction is advantageously carried out with palladium control, preferably by addition of Pd(PPh₃)₄, in the presence of a base, such as potassium carbonate, in an inert solvent or solvent mixture, for example DMF, at temperatures between 0° and 150°, preferably between 60° and 120°. The reaction time, depending on the conditions used, is between a few minutes and several days. The boronic acid derivatives can be prepared by conventional methods or are commercially available. The reactions can be carried out analogously to the methods indicated in Suzuki et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1989, 111, 314 ff. and in Suzuki et al. Chem. Rev. 1995, 95, 2457 ff.

Compounds of the formula I are obtained by peptide-analogous coupling of the compounds of the formula II with a compound of the formula III or by peptide-analogous coupling of the compounds of the formula IV with a compound of the formula V under standard conditions.

Compounds of the formula III are obtained by peptide-analogous coupling of the compounds of the formula V with an amino compound H₂N—C(R²,R^(2′))—COOSG² under standard conditions, where SG² denotes a hydroxyl-protecting group, as described above, which is removed after the coupling. Compounds of the formula IV are obtained by peptide-analogous coupling of a compound of the formula II with a carboxyl compound HOOC—C(R²,R^(2′))—NHSG₁ under standard conditions, where SG₁ is an amino-protecting group as described above which is cleaved off after the coupling. Conventional methods of peptide synthesis are described, for example, in Houben-Weyl, 1.c., Volume 15/II, 1974, pages 1 to 806.

The coupling reaction preferably succeeds in the presence of a dehydrating agent, for example a carbodiimide, such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) or diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC), furthermore, for example, propanephosphonic anhydride (cf. Angew. Chem. 1980, 92, 129), diphenylphosphoryl azide or 2-ethoxy-N-ethoxycarbonyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline, in an inert solvent, for example a halogenated hydrocarbon, such as dichloromethane, an ether, such as tetrahydrofuran or dioxane, an amide, such as DMF or dimethylacetamide, a nitrile, such as acetonitrile, in dimethyl sulfoxide or in the presence of this solvent, at temperatures between about −10 and 40°, preferably between 0 and 30°. The reaction time, depending on the conditions used, is between a few minutes and several days.

It has proven particularly advantageous to add the coupling reagent TBTU (O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate) or O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate, since in the presence of one of these compounds only slight racemisation occurs and no cytotoxic by-products are formed.

Instead of compounds of the formula III, V and/or VI, it is also possible to employ derivatives of compounds of the formula III, V and/or VI, preferably a pre-activated carboxylic acid, or a carboxylic acid halide, a symmetrical or mixed anhydride or an active ester. Radicals of this type for activation of the carboxyl group in typical acylation reactions have been described in the literature (for example in the standard works, such as Houben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie [Methods of Organic Chemistry], Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart). Activated esters are advantageously formed in situ, for example by addition of HOBt (1-hydroxybenzotriazole) or N-hydroxysuccinimide.

The reaction is generally carried out in an inert solvent; if a carboxylic acid halide is used, it is carried out in the presence of an acid-binding agent preferably an organic base, such as triethylamine, dimethylaniline, pyridine or quinoline.

The addition of an alkali or alkaline-earth metal hydroxide, carbonate or bicarbonate or another salt of a weak acid of the alkali or alkaline-earth metals, preferably of potassium, sodium, calcium or caesium, may also be favourable.

A base of the formula I can be converted into the associated acid-addition salt using an acid, for example by reaction of equivalent amounts of the base and the acid in an inert solvent, such as ethanol, followed by evaporation. Suitable acids for this reaction are, in particular, those which give physiologically acceptable salts. Thus, it is possible to use inorganic acids, for example sulfuric acid, sulfurous acid, dithionic acid, nitric acid, hydrohalic acids, such as hydrochloric acid or hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acids, such as, for example, orthophosphoric acid, sulfamic acid, furthermore organic acids, in particular aliphatic, alicyclic, araliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic monobasic or polybasic carboxylic, sulfonic or sulfuric acids, for example formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, hexanoic acid, octanoic acid, decanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, pivalic acid, diethylacetic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, pimelic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, gluconic acid, ascorbic acid, nicotinic acid, isonicotinic acid, methane- or ethanesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, trimethoxybenzoic acid, adamantanecarboxylic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, glycolic acid, embonic acid, chlorophenoxyacetic acid, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, proline, glyoxylic acid, palmitic acid, para-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid, cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, glucose 1-phosphate, naphthalenemono- and -disulfonic acids or laurylsulfuric acid. Salts with physiologically unacceptable acids, for example picrates, can be used to isolate and/or purify the compounds of the formula I.

On the other hand, compounds of the formula I can be converted into the corresponding metal salts, in particular alkali metal salts or alkaline earth metal salts, or into the corresponding ammonium salts, using bases (for example sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate).

The invention also relates to the compounds of the formula I, stereoisomers thereof and physiologically acceptable salts or solvates thereof as medicament active ingredients.

The invention furthermore relates to compounds of the formula I, stereoisomers thereof and physiologically acceptable salts or solvates thereof as integrin inhibitors.

The invention also relates to the compounds of the formula I, stereoisomers thereof and physiologically acceptable salts or solvates thereof for use in combating diseases.

The invention furthermore relates to medicaments comprising at least one compound of the formula I, stereoisomers thereof and/or a physiologically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. To this end, the compounds of the formula I can be brought into a suitable dosage form here together with at least one solid, liquid and/or semi-liquid excipient or assistant and, if desired, in combination with one or more further active ingredients.

The invention likewise relates to the use of compounds of the formula I, stereoisomers thereof and physiologically acceptable salts or solvates thereof for the preparation of a medicament.

These preparations can be used as medicaments in human or veterinary medicine. Suitable excipients are organic or inorganic substances which are suitable for enteral (for example oral), parenteral or topical administration and do not react with the novel compounds, for example water, vegetable oils, benzyl alcohols, alkylene glycols, polyethylene glycols, glycerol triacetate, gelatine, carbohydrates, such as lactose or starch, magnesium stearate, talc or vaseline. Suitable for oral administration are, in particular, tablets, pills, coated tablets, capsules, powders, granules, syrups, juices or drops, suitable for rectal administration are suppositories, suitable for parenteral administration are solutions, preferably oily or aqueous solutions, furthermore suspensions, emulsions or implants, and suitable for topical application are ointments, creams or powders. The novel compounds can also be lyophilised and the resultant lyophilisates used, for example, for the preparation of injection preparations. The preparations indicated may be sterilised and/or comprise assistants, such as lubricants, preservatives, stabilisers and/or wetting agents, emulsifiers, salts for modifying the osmotic pressure, buffer substances, dyes, flavours and/or a plurality of further active ingredients, for example one or more vitamins.

For administration as an inhalation spray, it is possible to use sprays in which the active ingredient is either dissolved or suspended in a propellant gas or propellant gas mixture (for example CO₂ or chlorofluorocarbons). The active ingredient is advantageously used here in micronised form, in which case one or more additional physiologically acceptable solvents may be present, for example ethanol Inhalation solutions can be administered with the aid of conventional inhalers.

The compounds of the formula I, stereoisomers thereof and/or physiologically acceptable salts or solvates thereof can be employed as medicament active ingredients in human and veterinary medicine, in particular for the prophylaxis and/or therapy of circulation disorders, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary embolism, thrombosis, in particular deep-vein thrombosis, cardiac infarction, arteriosclerosis, aneurysma dissecans, transient ischaemic attacks, apoplexia, angina pectoris, in particular unstable angina pectoris, pathological connecting tissue proliferation in organs or fibrosis, particular pulmonary fibrosis, but also cystic fibrosis, dermatofibrosis, hepatic fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, urethrofibrosis, renal fibrosis, cardiac fibrosis, infantile endocardial fibrosis, pancreatic fibrosis, disturbed hornification of the skin, in particular leukoplakia, lichen planus and squamous cell carcinoma, tumour diseases, such as tumour development, tumour angiogenesis or tumour metastasis, of solid tumours and those of the blood or immune system, for example tumours of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma, tumours of the blood vessels, of the gastrointestinal tract, of the lung, of the breast, of the liver, of the kidney, of the spleen, of the pancreas, of the brain, of the testes, of the ovary, of the womb, of the vagina, of the muscles, of the bones, and those of the throat and head area, osteolytic diseases, such as osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, Paget's disease, malign hypercalcaemia, incompatible blood transfusion, pathologically angiogenic disorders, such as, for example, inflammation, ophthalmological disorders, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, myopia, corneal transplant, ocular histoplasmosis, rheumatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, rubeotic glaucoma, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, atherosclerosis, psoriasis, restenosis, in particular after angioplasty, multiple sclerosis, pregnancy, absumptio placentaris, viral infection, bacterial infection, fungal infection, foot and mouth disease (FMD), HIV, anthrax, candida albicans, in the case of parasitic infestation, in the case of acute kidney failure and in the case of wound healing for supporting the healing process.

In the case of viral infection, the compounds according to the invention act, in particular, by inhibiting or breaking viral bonds between cell-mediated integrin-binding proteins and the viral shell or indirectly by preventing the uptake of the viruses, which are bound to extracellular matrix constituents, which have been recognised as integrins, or by breaking integrin-promoted mechanisms which are associated with the viral infection (J Virol 2000 June; 74(11): 4949–56, J Virol 2000 August; 74(16): 7298–306, J Virol 2001 May; 75(9): 4158–64, Virology. 2001 Sep. 30; 288(2): 192–202. (FMDV), Virus Res. 2001 July; 76(1): 1–8 (echovirus), J Biol. Chem. 2001 Jul. 13; 276(28): 26204–10. (HIV), Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2001 May 11 ; 283(3): 668–73 (papillomavirus), Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2000 Dec. 19; 97(26): 14644–9 (rotavirus)).

In the case of bacterial infection, the action takes place, in particular, by inhibition of the binding and/or the uptake of the bacteria or bacterial toxins or of the toxic products induced by bacterial infections to or by cells via integrin-promoted mechanisms (Nature 2001: Nov. 8: 225–229 (anthrax), J Exp Med. 2001 May 7; 193(9): 1035–44 (pertussis), Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2000 Feb. 29; 97(5): 2235–40 (group A streptococcus), Infect Immun. 2000 January; 68(1): 72–9 (Pasteurella haemolytica leucotoxin), J Biol. Chem. 1997 Nov. 28; 272(48): 30463–9. (RTX leucotoxins)).

In the case of parasitic infestation, the action takes place, in particular, by inhibition of the binding and/or uptake of the parasitic or parasite-derived or induced toxins to or by the cells via integrin-directed mechanisms (Infect Immun. 1999 September; 67(9): 4477–84. (Ieishmania)).

The substances according to the invention are generally preferably administered in doses of from about 0.05 to 500 mg, in particular from 0.5 to 100 mg, per dosage unit. The daily dose is preferably from about 0.01 to 2 mg/kg of body weight. However, the specific dose for each patient depends on a wide variety of factors, for example on the efficacy of the specific compound employed, on the age, body weight, general state of health, sex, on the diet, on the time and method of administration, on the rate of excretion, medicament combination and severity of the particular disease to which the therapy applies. Parenteral administration is preferred.

Furthermore, the compounds of the formula I can be used as integrin ligands for the production of columns for affinity chromatography for the purification of integrins.

In this method, the ligand, i.e. a compound of the formula I, is covalently coupled to a polymeric support via an anchor function, for example the carboxyl group.

Suitable polymeric support materials are the polymeric solid phases having preferably hydrophilic properties that are known in peptide chemistry, for example crosslinked polysugars, such as cellulose, sepharose or Sephadex®, acrylamides, polyethylene glycol- or polystyrene-based polymer or Tentakel® polymers.

The materials for affinity chromatography for integrin purification are prepared under conditions as are usual and known per se for the condensation of amino acids.

The compounds of the formula I have one or more centres of chirality and can therefore exist in racemic or optically active form. Racemates obtained can be resolved into the enantiomers mechanically or chemically by methods known per se. Diastereomers are preferably formed from the racemic mixture by reaction with an optically active resolving agent. Examples of suitable resolving agents are optically active acids, such as the D and L forms of tartaric acid, diacetyltartaric acid, dibenzoyltartaric acid, mandelic acid, malic acid, lactic acid, and the various optically active camphorsulfonic acids, such as β-camphorsulfonic acid. Resolution of the enantiomers with the aid of a column filled with an optically active resolving agent (for example dinitrobenzoylphenylglycine) is also advantageous; an example of a suitable eluent is a mixture of hexane/isopropanol/acetonitrile, for example in the volume ratio 82:15:3.

It is of course also possible to obtain optically active compounds of the formula I by the methods described above by using starting materials which are already optically active.

Above and below, all temperatures are given in ° C. In the following examples, “conventional work-up” means that, if necessary, water is added, if necessary, depending on the constitution of the end product, the pH is adjusted to a value between 2 and 10, the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate or dichloromethane, the phases are separated, the organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated, and the product is purified by chromatography on silica gel, by preparative HPLC and/or by crystallisation. The purified compounds are, if desired, freeze-dried.

The eluents used are gradients of acetonitrile (B) with 0.08% of TFA (trifluoroacetic acid) and water (A) with 0.1% of TFA. The gradient is indicated in percent by volume of acetonitrile.

The HPLC analyses (retention time RT) were carried out in the following systems:

3 μm Silica-Rod column with a 210 second gradient from 20 to 100% water/acetonitrile/0.01% trifluoroacetic acid, at a flow rate of 2.2 ml/min and with detection at 220 nm,

Or

Chromolith RP18e 100–4,6 column with a 30 min gradient from 1 to 75% 0.014 M NaH2PO4/isopropanol, at a flow rate of 1 ml/min and with detection at 220 nm.

The compounds purified by preparative HPLC are isolated as trifluoroacetates.

Mass spectrometry (MS) by means of FAB (fast atom bombardment): MS-FAB (M+H)⁺.

The chromatographic purifications were, unless stated otherwise, carried out as open column chromatography on silica gel (particle size 0.064–0.2 mm) from Merck KGaA. The eluent used was ethyl acetate and heptane in pure form or as a mixture so that the R value of the compound to be isolated 0.1–0.3.

The examples explain the invention without the latter being restricted thereto.

If the compounds described as examples are able to exist as various stereoisomers and no stereochemical data are given, mixtures of the stereoisomers are present in each case.

EXAMPLE 1 Synthesis of 3-biphenyl-4-yl-3-{3-(1,1-diphenylmethylsulfanyl)-2-[2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}propionic acid

-   -   a 9.236 g of 2-chlorotrityl chloride resin (Novabiochem) are         suspended in 80 ml of dichloromethane, and 3.9 ml of         diisopropylethylamine are subsequently added. A solution of 7.00         g of Fmoc-diphenylaminopropionic acid in dichloromethane is         added to this suspension, and the mixture is subsequently shaken         at RT for 2 hours. For work-up, the solid phase is filtered off         and washed three times with each of DMF, dichloromethane and         methanol and dried in a vacuum drying cabinet.     -   b The solid phase is suspended in DMF, a 50% solution of         piperidine in DMF is subsequently added, and the mixture is         shaken at RT for 30 minutes. The solid phase is subsequently         filtered off, and the same procedure is repeated twice. The         solid phase is subsequently washed three times with each of DMF,         dichloromethane and methanol and dried overnight in a vacuum         drying cabinet, giving resin-bound         3-biphenyl-4-yl-3-aminopropionic acid “AB”.     -   c 300 mg of solid phase are suspended in 10 ml of DMF, and 0.317         g of ethyl         3-benzhydrylsulfanyl-2-[2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]propionate,         0.410 g of bromotrispyrrolidinophosphonium hexafluorophosphat         and 0307 ml of diisopropylethylamine are added, and the mixture         is left to stand at room temperature over night. For work-up,         the solid phase was filitered off, washed twice with DMF and         four times each with DMF/water (1/1, V/V), DMF, dichloromethane         and methanol, and dried in a vacuum drying cabinet, giving         resin-bound         3-biphenyl-4-yl-3-{3-(1,1-diphenylmethylsulfanyl)-2-[2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}propionic         acid “C”.     -   d 150 mg of the polymer are suspended in 1 ml of         dichloromethane, 3 ml of a 50% solution of TFA in         dichloromethane are subsequently added, and the mixture is         shaken at RT for 1 hour. The solid phase is removed by         filtration, and the solution is evaporated to dryness under         reduced pressure. Preparative HPLC gives 10 mg of the desired         product as the trifluoroacetate (amorphous solid).

Analogously to Example 1, the resin “B” is reacted with ethyl 3-benzhydrylsulfanyl-2-[2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propionate, giving 3-biphenyl-4-yl-3-{3-(1,1-diphenylmethylsulfanyl)-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}propionic acid.

Preparative HPLC gives 3-biphenyl-4-yl-3-{3-(1,1-diphenylmethylsulfanyl)-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}propionic acid trifluoroacetate, RT 1.925 min, FAB-MS (M+H)⁺ 689.

Analogously to Example 1, the resin “B” is reacted with 3-benzyloxy-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propionic acid, giving 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic acid.

Preparative HPLC gives 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic acid trifluoroacetate, RT 1.641 min, FAB-MS (M+H)⁺ 597.

Analogously to Example 1, the resin “B” is reacted with 3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]propionic acid, giving 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic acid.

Preparative HPLC gives 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic acid trifluoroacetate, RT 1.529 min (mixture), 1.556 (diastereomer pair 1), 1.590 (diastereomer pair 2), FAB-MS (M+H)⁺ 583/583/583.

Analogously to Example 1, the resin “B” is reacted with 3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylaminopyridin-2-yl)ethoxycarbonylamino]propionic acid, giving 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylaminopyridin-2-yl)ethoxycarbonylamino]-propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic acid.

Preparative HPLC gives 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylaminopyridin-2-yl)ethoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic acid trifluoroacetate, RT 1.061 min. FAB-MS (M+H)⁺ 597.

Analogously to Example 1, the resin “B” is reacted with 3-benzyloxy-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propionic acid, giving 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic acid.

Preparative HPLC gives 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic acid trifluoroacetate, RT 1.529 min (mixture), 1.674 (diastereomer pair 1), 1.754 (diastereomer pair 2), FAB-MS (M+H)⁺ 597/597.

Analogously to Example 1, the resin “B” is reacted with 3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylpyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]propionic acid, giving 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylpyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]-propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic acid.

Preparative HPLC gives 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylpyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic acid trifluoroacetate, RT 1.701 min, FAB-MS (M+H)⁺ 597.

EXAMPLE 2 Synthesis of ethyl 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionate

119.44 mg of ethyl 3-amino-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionate, 0.164 g of 3-benzyloxy-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propionic acid, 10.00 ml of DMF, 0.084 g of N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride and 0.097 ml of 4-methylmorpholine are reacted together with stirring firstly for 1.5 hours at 50° C. and subsequently overnight at room temperature. After removal of the DMF by distillation, the residue is taken up in ethyl acetate, washed with water, evaporated to dryness and purified by chromatography over a short silica column (eluent ethyl acetate), giving ethyl 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionate, RT 1.552 min, FAB-MS (M+H)⁺ 618.

Analogously to Example 2, ethyl 3-amino-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionate is reacted with 3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylaminopyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]propionic acid and purified by chromatography, giving ethyl 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylaminopyridin-2-yl)ethoxycarbonylamino]-propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionate, RT 1.720 min, FAB-MS (M+H)⁺ 618.

Analogously to Example 2, ethyl 3-amino-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionate is reacted with 3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]-propionic acid and purified by chromatography, giving ethyl 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionate, RT 1.712 min, FAB-MS (M+H)⁺ 604.

Analogously to Example 2, ethyl 3-amino-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionate is reacted with 3-benzyloxy-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]-propionic acid and purified by preparative HPLC, giving 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionic acid, RT 1.598 min, FAB-MS (M+H)⁺ 590.

Analogously to Example 2, ethyl 3-amino-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionate is reacted with 3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylpyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]propionic acid and purified by chromatography, giving ethyl 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylpyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]-propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionate, RT 1.765 min, FAB-MS (M+H)⁺ 618.

50.00 mg of ethyl 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylpyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionate are reacted with 2 ml of ethanol and 0.50 ml of 1 molar sodium hydroxide solution for 2 hours with stirring, acidified using 0.5 ml of glacial acetic acid and evaporated to dryness, giving 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylpyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionic acid.

Preparative HPLC gives 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylpyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionic acid trifluoroacetate, RT 1.581 min, FAB-MS (M+H)⁺ 590.

The examples below relate to pharmaceutical preparations:

EXAMPLE A Injection Vials

A solution of 100 g of an active ingredient of the formula I and 5 g of disodium hydrogenphosphate in 3 l of bidistilled water is adjusted to pH 6.5 using 2N hydrochloric acid, sterile filtered, transferred into injection vials, lyophilised under sterile conditions and sealed under sterile conditions. Each injection vial contains 5 mg of active ingredient.

EXAMPLE B Suppositories

A mixture of 20 g of an active ingredient of the formula I is melted with 100 g of soya lecithin and 1400 g of cocoa butter, poured into moulds and allowed to cool. Each suppository contains 20 mg of active ingredient.

EXAMPLE C Solution

A solution is prepared from 1 g of an active ingredient of the formula I, 9.38 g of NaH₂PO₄.2 H₂O, 28.48 g of Na₂HPO₄.12 H₂O and 0.1 g of benzalkonium chloride in 940 ml of bidistilled water. The pH is adjusted to 6.8, and the solution is made up to 1.1 and sterilised by irradiation. This solution can be used in the form of eye drops.

EXAMPLE D Ointment

500 mg of an active ingredient of the formula I are mixed with 99.5 g of Vaseline under aseptic conditions.

EXAMPLE E Tablets

A mixture of 1 kg of active ingredient of the formula I, 4 kg of lactose, 1.2 kg of potato starch, 0.2 kg of talc and 0.1 kg of magnesium stearate is pressed to give tablets in a conventional manner in such a way that each tablet contains 10 mg of active ingredient.

EXAMPLE F Coated Tablets

Tablets are pressed analogously to Example E and subsequently coated in a conventional manner with a coating of sucrose, potato starch, talc, tragacanth and dye.

EXAMPLE G Capsules

2 kg of active ingredient of the formula I are introduced into hard gelatine capsules in a conventional manner in such a way that each capsule contains 20 mg of the active ingredient.

EXAMPLE H Ampoules

A solution of 1 kg of active ingredient of the formula I in 60 l of bidistilled water is sterile filtered, transferred into ampoules, lyophilised under sterile conditions and sealed under sterile conditions. Each ampoule contains 10 mg of active ingredient.

EXAMPLE I Inhalation Spray

14 g of active ingredient of the formula I are dissolved in 10 l of isotonic NaCl solution, and the solution is transferred into commercially available spray containers with a pump mechanism. The solution can be sprayed into the mouth or nose. One spray shot (about 0.1 ml) corresponds to a dose of about 0.14 mg. 

1. A compound of formula I

in which R¹, R^(1′) and R^(1″) are each H, A, Ar, Het¹, Hal, NO₂, CN, OR⁴, COA, NHCOA, NH(CHO), NR⁴, COOR⁴ or CONHR⁴ ₂; R² is A, Ar, (CH₂)_(m)XA, (CH₂)_(m)OH, (CH₂)_(m)NH₂, (CH₂)_(m)NHA, (CH₂)_(m)NA₂, (CH₂)_(m)NHCOA, (CH₂)_(m)NO₂, (CH₂)_(m)COOR¹, (CH₂)_(m)CONH₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA, (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CH Het¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)YA, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)NHCOA, (CH₂)_(m)NHCONHR^(2′), (CH₂)_(m)CH₂A, (CH₂)_(m)CHA₂, (CH₂)_(m)CA₃, (CH₂)_(m)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)cycloalkyl, (CH₂)_(m)—NH—C(═NH)—NH₂, or (CH₂)_(m)—(HN═)C—NH₂; X and Y are each independently S, O, S═O, SO₂ or NH, where, if R² is (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA or (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, then X and Y are not S═O or SO₂; R^(2′) is H or A; R² and R^(2′) together may alternatively be —(CH₂)_(p)—; R³ is H₂N—C(═NH)—, H₂N—C(═NH)—NH—, A-C(═NH)—NH—, Het²- or Het²-NH—, where the primary amino groups are optionally protected by amino-protecting groups; R⁴ is H, A, Het¹, Hal, NO₂ or CN; A is alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or monosubstituted or polysubstituted by Hal or NO₂, and wherein the carbon chain may be interrupted by —O—; cycloalkyl is cycloalkyl having 3 to 15 carbon atoms; B is H or A; Ar is phenyl, naphthyl, anthranyl or biphenyl, which in each case is unsubstituted or monosubstituted or polysubstituted by Hal, A, OA, OH, CO-A, CN, COOA, COOH, CONH₂, CONHA, CONA₂, CF₃, OCF₃ or NO₂; Hal is F, Cl, Br, or I; Het¹ is an aromatic monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclic radical having from 1 to 3 N, O and/or S atoms, which is unsubstituted or monosubstituted or disubstituted by F, Cl, Br, A, OA, SA, OCF₃, —CO-A, CN, COOA, CONH₂, CONHA, CONA₂, NA₂ or NO₂; Het² is a monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclic radical having from 1 to 4 N atoms, which is unsubstituted or monosubstituted or disubstituted by NH₂, NHA or A; m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; o is 0, 1, 2 or 3; p is 2, 3, 4 or 5; a stereoisomers thereof, or a physiologically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
 2. A compound according to claim 1, wherein said compound is selected from: 3-biphenyl-4-yl-3-{3-(1,1-diphenyl-methylsulfanyl)-2-[2-(pyridin-2-yl-amino)ethoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}propionic acid; 3-biphenyl-4-yl-3-{3-(1,1-diphenylmethylsulfanyl)-2-[3-(pyridin-2-yl-amino)propoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}propionic acid; 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic acid; 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)-ethoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic acid; 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylamino-pyridin-2-yl)-ethoxycarbonylamino]-propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic acid; 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic acid; 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]-propanoylamino}-3-biphenyl-4-ylpropionic acid; ethyl 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]-propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionate; ethyl 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylaminopyridin-2-yl)-ethoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionate; ethyl 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]-propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionate; 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propoxycarbonylamino]propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionic acid; ethyl 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylpyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]-propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionate; 3-{3-benzyloxy-2-[2-(6-methylpyridin-2-ylamino)ethoxycarbonylamino]-propanoylamino}-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)propionic acid; and stereoisomers thereof and physiologically acceptable salts and solvates thereof.
 3. A compound according to claim 1, wherein A is methyl or ethyl; R³ is pyrirnidin-2-ylamino, pyridin-2-ylamino, imidazol-1-yl, imidazol-2-ylamino, benzimidazol-2-ylamino, 4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylamino, 2-aminoimidazol-5-ylamino, 2-aminopyridin-6-ylamino, 2-aminoimidazol-5-yl or 2-aminopyridin-6-yl; R¹ is phenyl; Ar is phenyl, o-, m- or p-tolyl, o-, m- or p-ethylphenyl, o-, m- or p-propylphenyl, o-, m- or p-isopropylphenyl, o-, m- or p-tert-butylphenyl, o-, m- or p-cyanophenyl, o-, m- or p-methoxyphenyl, o-, m- or p-ethoxyphenyl, o-, m- or p-fluorophenyl, o-, m- or p-bromophenyl, o-, m- or p-chlorophenyl, o-, m- or p-methylthiophenyl, o-, m- or p-methylsulfinylphenyl, o-, m- or p-methylsulfonylphenyl, o-, m- or p-aminophenyl, o-, m- or p-methylaminophenyl, o-, m- or p-dimethylaminophenyl, o-, m- or p-nitrophenyl, o-, m- or p-acetylphenyl, o-, m- or p-methoxycarbonyiphenyl, o-, m- or p-aminocarbonylphenyl, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or 3,5-difluorophenyl, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or 3,5-dichlorophenyl, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or 3,5-dibromophenyl, 2-chloro-3-methyl-, 2-chloro-4-methyl-, 2-chloro-5-methyl-, 2-chloro-6-methyl-, 2-methyl-3-chloro-, 2-methyl-4-chloro-, 2-methyl-5-chloro-, 2-methyl-6-chloro-, 3-chloro-4-methyl-, 3-chloro-5-methyl- or 3-methyl-4-chlorophenyl, 2-bromo-3-methyl-, 2-bromo-4-methyl-, 2-bromo-5-methyl-, 2-bromo-6-methyl-, 2-methyl-3-bromo-, 2-methyl-4-bromo-, 2-methyl-5-bromo-, 2-methyl-6-bromo-, 3-bromo-4-methyl-, 3-bromo-5-methyl- or 3-methyl-4-bromophenyl, 2,4- or 2,5-dinitrophenyl, 2,5- or 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl, 2,3,4-, 2,3,5-, 2,3,6-, 2,4,6- or 3,4,5-trichiorophenyl, 2,4,6-tri-tert-butyiphenyl, 2,5-dimethyiphenyl, p-iodophenyl, 4-fluoro-3-chlorophenyl, 4-fluoro-3,5-dimethyiphenyl, 2-fluoro-4-bromophenyl, 2,5-difluoro-4-bromophenyl, 2,4-dichloro-5-methylphenyl, 3-bromo-6-methoxyphenyl, 3-chloro-6-methoxyphenyl, 2-methoxy-5-methylphenyl or 2,4,6-tri-isopropylphenyl; Cycloatkyl is cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl; Hal is F or Cl; Het¹ is 2,3-, 2,4- 2,5- or 3,4-thienyl, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5- or 3,4-pyrrolyl, 2,4-, 2,5- or 4,5-imidazolyl, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,6- or 3,5-pyridyl, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 4,5- or 5,6-pyrimidinyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-indolyl, which in each case is unsubstituted or monosubstituted by F, Cl, Br, A, OA or OCF₃; Het² is 1-, 2- or 3-pyrrolyl, 1-, 2,4- or 5-imidazolyl, 1-, 3-, 4- or 5-pyrazolyl, 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl, 2-, 4-, -5- or 6-pynimidinyl, furthermore preferably 1,2,3-triazol-1-, -4- or -5-yl, 1,2,4-triazol-1-, -3- or 5-yl, 1- or 5-tetrazolyl, 3- or 4-pynidazinyl, pyrazinyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-indolyl, 1-, 2-, 4- or 5-benzimidazolyl, 1-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-benzopyrazolyl, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-quinolyl, 1-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-isoquinolyl, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-cinnolinyl, 2-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-quinazolinyl, 1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl or 1,8-naphthynidin-7-yl, which in each case is unsubstituted or monosubstituted or disubstituted by A, NHA and/or NH₂; n is 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; m is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; and o is 0, 1 or
 2. 4. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R³ is pyrimidin-2-ylamino, pyridin-2-ylamino, imidazol- l-yl, imidazol-2-ylamino, benzimidazol-2-ylamino, 4,5-dihydroylamino, 2-aminopyridin-6-ylamino, 2-aminoimidazol-5-yl or 2-aminopyridin-6-yl.
 5. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R³ is H₂N—C(═NH)—, H₂N—C(═NH)—NH— or Het²NH.
 6. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R³ is H₂N—C(═NH)—, H₂N—C(═NH)—NH— or Het²NH, in which Het² is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic or saturated heterocyclic radical having 1 or 2 N and/or O atoms.
 7. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R³ is H₂N—C(═NH)—, H₂N—C(═NH)—NH— or Het²NH, in which Het² is pyridyl.
 8. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R¹, R^(1′) and R^(1″) are each H, Ar, Het¹ Hal, NR⁴ or CONHR⁴ ₂ in which R⁴ H, A or Het¹.
 9. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R¹ is phenyl which is unsubstituted or monosubstituted or disubstituted by A, OA, OH, Hal or CF₃, and R^(1′) and R^(1″) are each H.
 10. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R³ is H₂N—C(═NH)—, H₂N—C(═NH)—NH— or Het²NH, in which Het² is pyridyl; R¹ is phenyl which is unsubstituted or monosubstituted or disubstituted by A, OA, OH, Hal or CF₃; and n is 2, 3 or
 4. 11. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R² is A, Ar, (CH₂)_(m)XA, (CH₂)_(m)OH, (CH₂)_(m)NH₂, (CH₂)_(m)NHA, (CH₂)_(m)NA₂, (CH₂)_(m)NO₂, (CH₂)_(m)COOR¹, (CH₂)_(m)CONH₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA, (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)YA, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)NHCOA, (CH₂)_(m)NHCONHR^(2′), (CH₂)_(m)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)cycloalkyl, (CH₂)_(m)—NH—C(═NH)—NH₂ or (CH₂)_(m)—(HN═)C—NH₂; X and Y, independently of one another, are S, O, S═O, SO₂ or NH, where, if R² is (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA or (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, X and Y are not S═O or SO₂, and in the case where X and Y are bonded directly to one another by a chemical bond they are each S; R^(2′) is H; m is 1, 2, 3 or 4; and o is 0, 1, 2 or
 3. 12. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R²is A, Ar, (CH₂)_(m)XA, (CH₂)_(m)OH, (CH₂)_(m)NH₂, (CH₂)_(m)NHA, (CH₂)_(m)NA₂, (CH₂)_(m)NO₂, (CH₂)_(m)COOR¹, (CH₂)_(m)CONH₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA, (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)YA, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)NHCOA, (CH₂)_(m)NHCONHR^(2′), (CH₂)_(m)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)cycloalkyl, (CH₂)_(m)—NH—C(═NH)—NH₂ or (CH₂)_(m)—(HN═)C—NH₂; R^(2′) is H; Het¹ is a monocyclic or bicyclic, 5- and/or 6-membered aromatic or saturated heterocyclic radical having 1 or 2 N, S and/or O atoms; Ar is phenyl which is unsubstituted or monosubstituted or disubstituted by A, OA, OH, Hal or CF₃; X and Y, independently of one another, are each S, O, S═O, SO₂ or NH, where, if R² is (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA or (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, X and Y, independently of one another, are NH or O, and in the case where X and Y are bonded directly to one another by a chemical bond, they are each S; m is 1, 2, 3 or 4; and o is 0, 1, 2 or
 3. 13. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R² is A, Ar, (CH₂)_(m)XA, (CH₂)_(m)OH, (CH₂)_(m)NH₂, (CH₂)_(m)NHA, (CH₂)_(m)NA₂, (CH₂)_(m)NO₂, (CH₂)_(m)COOR¹, (CH₂)_(m)CONH₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)XCOYA, (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)YA, (CH₂)_(m)X(CH₂)_(o)NHCOA, (CH₂)_(m)NHCONR^(2′), (CH₂)_(m)Ar, (CH₂)_(m)CHAr₂, (CH₂)_(m)CAr₃, (CH₂)_(m)Het¹, (CH₂)_(m)CHHet¹ ₂, (CH₂)_(m)CHet¹ ₃, (CH₂)_(m)cycloalkyl, (CH₂)_(m)—NH—C(═NH)—NH₂ or (CH₂)_(m)—(HN═)C—NH₂; R^(2′) is H; Het¹ is imidazolyl, thiophenyl, pyridinyl or indolyl; Ar is phenyl or 4-OH-phenyl; X and Y, independently of one another, are S, O, S═O, SO₂ or NH, where, if R²═(CH₂)_(m)XCOYA or (CH₂)_(m)XCOY(CH₂)_(o)Ar, X is NH and Y is O, and in the case where X and Y are bonded directly to one another by a chemical bond, they are each S; m is 1, 2, 3 or 4; and o is 0, 1, 2 or
 3. 14. A process for the preparation of a compound according to claim 1, said process comprising: (a) reacting a compound of formula II

 in which R is a protecting group, and R¹, R^(1′) and R^(1″) are as defined wherein in R¹, R^(1′) and R^(1″) free hydroxyl or amino groups are in each case protected by a protecting group,  with a compound of formula III

 in which R², R^(2′), R³ and n are as defined wherein free hydroxyl or amino groups in R², R2′ and/or R³ are in each case protected by protecting groups; and  removing protecting group R and any protecting groups present on R¹, R^(1′), R^(1″), R², R^(2′) and/or R³; or (b) a compound of formula IV

 in which R is a protecting group, and R¹, R^(1′), R^(1″), R² and R^(2′) are as defined wherein in R¹, R^(1′), R^(1″), R² and/or R^(2′) free hydroxyl and/or amino groups are in each case protected by protecting groups  with a compound of formula V

 in which Z is a leaving group, and n and R³ are as defined wherein in R¹, R^(1′) and/or R^(1″) free hydroxyl and/or amino groups are in each case protected by protecting groups, and  removing protecting group R and any protecting groups present on R¹, R^(1′), R^(1″), R², R^(2′) and/or R³; or (c) converting one or more radicals R¹, R^(1′), R^(1″), R², R^(2′) and R³ in a compound of the formula I into another R¹, R^(1′), R^(1″), R², R^(2′) or R³ radical by: i) alkylating a hydroxyl group, ii) hydrolysing an ester group to a carboxyl group, iii) esterifying a carboxyl group, iv) alkylating an amino group, v) reacting an aryl bromide or iodide with boronic acids by a Suzuki coupling to give the corresponding coupling products, or vi) acylating an amino group, or (d) reacting a compound of formula II with a compound of formula VI

 in which R² and R^(2′) are as defined wherein in R² and/or R^(2′) free hydroxyl and/or amino, groups are protected by protecting groups,  to give a compound of formula IV,  reacting the resultant compound of formula IV with a compound of formula V as described in (b), and  removing protecting group R and any protecting groups present on R¹, R^(1′), R^(1″), R², R^(2′) and/or R³; and/or a basic or acidic compound of formula I is converted into one of its salts or solvates by treatment with an acid or base.
 15. A composition comprising at least one compound according to claim 1 and at least one solid, liquid and/or semi-liquid medicament excipient or assistant.
 16. A method of preparing a medicament comprising combining a compound according to claim 1 with at least one solid, liquid and/or semi-liquid medicament excipient or assistant.
 17. A method of treating a patient suffering from inflammation, wounds, or tumor of the epithelial cells comprising administering to said patient a compound according to claim
 1. 18. A method of treating the spread of tumor cells by metastasis in a patient comprising administering to said patient a compound according to claim
 17. 19. A method of treating a patient suffering from inflammation comprising administering to said patient a compound according to claim
 17. 20. A method of supporting wound healing in a patient comprising administering to said patient a compound according to claim
 17. 